. >> reporter: the big brown smiling eyes of martin richard makes the sorrow of what happened monday afternoon all the more palpable. the 8-year-old was known as a little league star. >> he was the fastest kid, maybe the tallest kid on his team. just a marvel to watch on the field. but he was just -- a delightful young boy. >> reporter: friends say the family went to the boston marathon every year. but one of those twin explosions ended martin's short life sending his mother to the hospital with a serious head injury. his younger sister lost a leg. neighbors in this close knit community are now grieving along with martin's father. >> i was outside with my dog, i saw him get out of the car. he was dressed in hospital scrubs. i said, oh, my god, bill, are you okay? he didn't even answer me. >> reporter: an outpouring of support and prayers for the family on this facebook page. in a statement released bill richard said we thank our family and friends. those we know and those we have never met for their thoughts and prayers. >> whenever we would see them they would all be together. wheth